MATTAMUSKEET NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
      BY JERRY LOTTERHOS          

If you have not been to this amazing place, you are missing one of our country's greatest wildlife areas. It is located in far eastern Hyde County, N.C. between the villages of Mattamuskeet and Fairfield on Hwy. 94, which splits the lake into  east and west portions. The lake, 18 miles long, and 7 miles wide makes up the bulk of the 50,180 acres in the Refuge . First visited by Sir Walter Raleigh with the Roanoke Expedition in 1585, the lake has a fascinating history. The Refuge has a huge diversity of wildlife and is a favorite wintering ground for most types of migratory waterfowl including Tundra Swans and Snow Geese. This makes winter visits here a must if you love waterfowl. Best times are late November through February. But there is always something to see including warblers, woodpeckers, herons, egrets, bald and golden eagles, otter, beaver, deer, and most any critter that lives in this area of the world!! If you like sunrises and sunsets, you can see and photograph both from hwy. 94. Get there before daylight and get sunrise, explore the Refuge all day, then return for sunset! This is my favorite Critter Pix area of all I visit, especially in the winter. I highly recommend putting it on your list!! By the way, if you go, check out my photos helping decorate the inside of the Refuge Office!
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